There’s no British Embassy in Honduras. Consular support may be limited in Honduras, with the exception of Tegucigalpa and the Bay Islands, and severely limited in more remote areas. Honduras is seeing a sharp increase in cases of dengue fever, especially in children. As a result, the Honduran Government has declared a state of emergency. The most affected departments are Cortés, Yoro, Olancho, and Santa Bárbara, and the San Pedro Sula metropolitan area. 

Various protests have taken place across Honduras since June 2019. Although normally peaceful, these can rapidly turn violent and be accompanied by a general break-down in law and order, including looting. The police have frequently responded with tear gas; deaths and injuries have also been reported. Although the protests are normally restricted to the main cities (especially Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba), road blocks can occur anywhere at short notice, and these can cause significant travel disruptions; Tegucigalpa’s Tocontin airport was also closed for most of a day in late May. Military police and the army were deployed across the country to restore law and order.

Travel plans may be impacted at short notice. You should avoid all demonstrations, and do not try to pass through blockades. You should follow the advice of local authorities and your tour operator or airline, and monitor local and social media for updates. 

Airlines sometimes modify their schedules at short notice. You should check with your airline before you travel.

The “El Florido” border and the road to the town of Copan are only open from 6am to 9pm. Please monitor the situation with your tour operator and with the local authorities (COPECO) and the National Institute of Migration.

Health Issues

Malaria is not present in the major cities of Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, but virtually every other lowland destination in Honduras is described as a malarial hot spot by the Centers for Disease Control. Visitors should see their doctor about a prescription for antimalarial drugs prior to traveling to Honduras, and vigilantly apply insect repellent throughout their visit. The CDC also recommends a standard battery of travel vaccinations such as hepatitis A; given the role eco-tourism plays in Honduras, typhoid and rabies shots also should be added to that list.

Personal Safety

The US State Department describes crime as "endemic" in Honduras, and Americans visiting the country have been victims of violent crimes such as murder, kidnapping and rape. The agency recommends avoiding travel with strangers, keeping a car's windows and doors locked at traffic stops, and not resisting robbery attempts as Honduran criminals are usually armed. Also, the country suffers periodic political unrest following the mid-2009 coup, and Americans should do their best to avoid any political demonstrations they encounter.

Eco-Tourism

Honduras occupies an eco-tourist niche competing with both Belize and Costa Rica. The Bay Islands of Roatan and Utila have access to the same Mesoamerican Barrier Reef as Belize, and the colorful corals and swarms of tropical fish serve as a magnet for scuba divers. On the mainland, there is enough jungle trekking, whitewater rafting on the Cangregal River and biological diversity amid the forests and mangrove swamps to satisfy even the most rabid outdoors adventurer.

Mayan Ruins

Deep in the interior of the Honduran highlands is the lost Mayan city of Copan. While Copan is not the largest of the ruined Mayan cities, Frommer's described it as "the most artistically important." This is due to the large number of relatively intact structures and hieroglyphic carvings. Overall, what Copan lacks in size it makes up for in the well-preserved state of its stone carvings. The ruins are also deep in the highland jungle, so getting to them is a minor adventure in its own right. Copan's jungle location also makes it at least as much of a tropical bird-watching zone as an archaeological zone

If you decide to travel to Honduras:

Avoid demonstrations

Be aware of your surroundings.

Avoid walking or driving at night.

Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.

Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.

Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry.

Exercise caution using cell phones in public, including inside of cars while stopped in traffic.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas. 

Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.

Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.

Review the Crime and Safety Report for Honduras.

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